Syracuse started its 2022-23 season with a victory 90-72 over Lehigh last Monday. Seniors Joe Girard III and Jesse Edwards led the way for the Orange scoring 19 and 18 points respectively on the night.
While SU had an easy road to victory against Lehigh, the Orange have “revenge” on their minds against Colgate.
Almost a year ago, Syracuse was upset by Colgate for the first time since 1964. The Orange held a 54-game winning streak against the Raiders before the 100-85 loss on November 20 of 2021.
Last year, Colgate won the game at the three point line. The Raiders shot over 40% and nailed 18 three-pointers in the contest, while also holding the Orange to just seven threes on 30% shooting from beyond the arc.
Jesse Edwards is Key
The reason the ‘Cuse struggled against Colgate was star center Jesse Edwards played a minimal role. Edwards mustered just eight points and eight rebounds while fouling out in 26 minutes.
The good news is that the Amsterdam native has come back strong this season showing no rust. Although the SU center missed the last nine games of last season with a fractured left wrist, Edwards was firing on all cylinders in the opener. The senior not only scored in double figures, but corralled 11 rebounds, blocked four shots, and came away with two steals.
“I thought he was good tonight, he was aggressive, and went strong to the basket,” Coach Boeheim said of Edwards' performance. “He was really active tonight and can only get better, he’s just scratching the surface.”
LISTEN: Judah Mintz found Jesse Edwards for the slam on the fast break to knot things up. WAER's @iunzy_ had the call.
— WAER Sports (@WAERSports) November 8, 2022
🎙️@waer883, https://t.co/BG0Q3sGXTn pic.twitter.com/3BFYZij3O7
Different Kind of Offense
This year's game against Colgate is also different because the Syracuse offense has a new method of attack. Last season the Orange scored over 35% of their points on three pointers, while in the first game against Lehigh the ‘Cuse’s deep shots accounted for only 20% of the scoring.
“Scoring points, we got 90, we can score points with no threes,” Jim Boeheim told reporters. “We scored inside, scored in the lane, and got to the foul line.”
Colgate
Colgate’s top two scorers from last year's team graduated in 2022 leaving Tucker Richardson to carry the load for the Raiders. In last year's upset win, Richardson scored 11 points, dished out seven assists, and collected six rebounds. But this year Richarson has taken over the offense for Colgate through the first two games. The Senior guard averaged 18 points and eight assists over the first two contests.
The Raiders have continued to execute the same formula that upset the Orange a year ago. In the first week of the season, Colgate has shot over 52% from the floor and north of 35% from beyond the arc.
Colgate’s scorching hot shooting might once again cause some trouble for Syracuse. “Our freshmen have to learn that you can’t just stand there and let people shoot,” Head Coach Jim Boeheim commented on the defense. “Chris Bell and Justin Taylor did that two or three times”
Syracuse and Colgate renew their rivalry tonight at 7 p.m. WAER’s cover begins with McClurg Team Countdown to Tipoff at 6:30 p.m.